Rishi Sunak reported to police after Nicola Sturgeon joke in conference speech

05 October 2023 , 10:17

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Rishi Sunak made fun of Nicola Sturgeon during his conference speech (Image: Andy Stenning Daily Mirror)

Rishi Sunak has been reported to police over remarks he made about Nicola Sturgeon during his keynote Tory Party Conference speech.

A pro-Scottish independence politician has contacted scotland>Police Scotland alleging the Prime Minister committed contempt of court when making fun of the former First Minister. During his address Mr Sunak said there's "no such thing as a minor crime".

Mr Sunak cracked a joke about the former SNP leader, who was arrested and questioned as part of Police Scotland's investigation into her party's finances. The investigation, named Operation Branchform, is still on going. Ms Sturgeon was released without charge following her arrest back in June.

Chris McEleny, general secretary of the rival Alba Party, said he had reported Mr Sunak alleging contempt of court, as there is a live police investigation. Mr McEleny said that "Operation Branchform should be free to pursue its investigation fearlessly without interference from Rishi Sunak ". He added he was "formally complaining about the offence of Contempt of Court" and calling on police to investigate.

Mr McEleny stated: "The Prime Minister is commenting on, and making an assumption about a live Police Scotland investigation. In Scotland contempt applies from arrest, not from charging. Operation Branchform is investigating serious matters of the utmost importance the Scotland and trust in politics.

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"It is too important a matter to allow interference from the Prime Minister in this act of contempt when many people await the facts of Police Scotland's investigation."

Mr Sunak made the comments as he claimed the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK was "the strongest it has been in a quarter of a century", with the Prime Minister adding that "the forces of separatism are in retreat".

Police Scotland and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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Dave Burke